By:
Submission
Holcomb Valley Ranch provides campers with an enchanting escape from the city. We invite you to kick back and relax at our private, 400+ acre ranch in the San Bernardino Mountains just 25 minutes from the Big Bear ski slopes and 15 minutes from Big Bear Lake- A large recreational, fresh-water lake for Summer swimming and water sports. Each campsite is approximately one acre(or more), generously-distanced from neighboring campers with its own fire ring and picnic table. The Ranch feels remote and private. Yet is only four miles to town. Neighboring the Pinnacles, for incredible rock climbing, and surrounded by the National forest, the location offers seemingly endless hiking and epic off-roading trails to enjoy and explore. After a day filled with adventure or relaxation, take in the breath-taking sunsets over the meadow. Then, blanketed in a sea of stars, enjoy toasting up some s’mores and hot-coco over a beautiful warm campfire. The horses are vacationing in sunny Palm Springs for the winter and will be back this Spring. ACCESS AND DIRECTIONS: Please pay close attention to the driving directions we provide. Your GPS may suggest you take Van Dusen Canyon Road or Rim of the World Drive, however, we highly suggest you take Polique Canyon. It is the most direct. The Ranch is about 15 minutes or 3.5 miles up Polique Canyon, on the left. Polique Canyon is a forestry road it does not get ploughed after a snowfall. Particularly during winter months, a 4x4 or AWD vehicle is recommended. After a snowfall, 4x4 or AWD combined with snow chains will likely be needed to successfully navigate Polique Canyon to get to the Ranch. WINTER CAMPING WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS: Big Bear is popular for its snowy white winters. Nighttime temperatures can fall into the single digits. Please check weather.com or another weather app prior to your visit and plan accordingly. When travelling to the mountains during the winter months, be prepared for winter weather driving conditions and always carry chains, extra food/ water, warm clothing/ blankets, and a full tank of gas in the event you become stranded. The sun sets around 7:00PM this time of year. Please arrive and check-in after 2PM and before night fall. Last check-in is at 8PM. WATER: The Ranch has been winterized to protect the pipes from the cold temperatures. Thus, the water has been shut off for winter. Our shower and flushing toilet buildings are currently closed. There are numerous, very clean, portable toilets throughout the Ranch and near each campsite, for guests to use. Please bring a plentiful supply of potable water for drinking, cleansing and extinguishing fires. FIRES: Campfires are permitted at the Ranch unless the Forest Service institutes a fire ban in the surrounding national forest or high winds are expected. Firewood is available for purchase on-site. Just ask your camp host for some bundles when you arrive. CELL RECEPTION: Verizon gets pretty good cell reception at the Ranch. AT&T gets some. Other cell carries are pretty spotty. Please note: Weather conditions in the Big Bear area can change dramatically and rapidly during the winter months. As such, Holcomb Valley Ranch reserves the right to cancel any reservation up to 24 hours prior to arrival due to any extreme or cold weather conditions. Remember the s’mores and always follow the“Leave No Trace” principles. We look forward to hosting you at the Ranch!
Holcomb Valley Ranch is a great place to go camping. I’ve taken a group of dads and our boys for a weekend camping several times. It’s clean, safe, beautiful and a great place for kids to explore and spend time with their friends and dads without city distractions. So many local things to do also, boating, fishing, off roading and enjoying the great outdoors. Highly recommend this place. The staff are professional and helpful.
Beware that the road to the ranch is very rough, but the camp host was amazing and helped us with our flat tire.
Beautiful views, lots of space at each campsite, easy access to bathrooms and water and helpful camp host. Great for anyone who wants to find a space far away from civilization.
Holcomb Valley Ranch is our favorite campground in the Big Bear area. While some may balk at the idea of paying premium prices for primitive campsites, what they fail to appreciate is the awesome amount of space you have. Each campsite is HUGE. You aren’t right on top of your neighbors, which makes for a very relaxing and enjoyable time at an established campground. There are plenty of porta-potties a short walk, as well as regular bathrooms and HOT showers! The facilities are very clean and well kept. There are also water spigots around the property where you can top off safely. The campground host is friendly, knowledgeable and takes his job seriously. We always feel like our gear is safe and secure here when out exploring. Top all that off with absolutely gorgeous views and you have a winning combo.
Thank you so much Cowboy Ed, for granting our request to move to a meadow lot, you truly made us so happy! You're the man🤠My husband and I just got home and we had the most relaxing weekend in this beautiful place🐎🐴🌲 It was just what we needed❤️ The sites are all huge and private and each have their own port-a-potty (which was very clean). We had a spot around the meadow and the views and horses and were spectacular 😍 We also saw deer out there and a hawk! The sunsets and sunrises were amazing too! We took a beautiful walk around the whole meadow, which was 4 miles, we didn't bring ours but mountain bikes would of been really fun to have! There are also hot showers! We will definitely be back! We live in Big Bear and it was just 30 minutes from our beautiful home, but felt like a whole other world🥰🌲🥰🏞🏕
Holcomb valley ranch is absolutely beautiful. My wife and I really enjoyed our campsite on the edge of the meadow. Only 15 minutes from Big Bear but you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. So peaceful and tranquil. The horses were really cool to see. We also saw deer in the meadow. So many stars at night. Also Ed was a fantastic host. Loved the giant camp spaces. Hardly even noticed anyone else camping. Extremely clean port-o-potty. We will definitely be back! So glad to have discovered this place!
